Does Anyone Else HATE Their Job?

My husband had a card printed up a few years ago.
When asked about work, he'd pull it out and read it with a dead pan expression:
"I love my work. I like my boss. And he's an inspiration.".

I don't think anyone loves their job 365 days a year.
Everyone has a bad day now and then.
I've worked with some wonderful people and I've worked with some people who were certifiably insane.
There are quite a few days when 'Dilbert' describes my work life perfectly.
I'm in a good place right now.

I'm at work right now doing this... haha.
My office is very casual. As long as I'm caught up I do what I want. I dont really like my boss because I only hear from her when something is wrong. The people I work with are all beneath me in rank and I get along with all of them just fine, as long as they do what they are supposed to.
I dont make near enough money (but who does?), that would be my only complaint.

I hear you sister but at least you have a job you can sit at. I'm on my feet all night and deal with the public. Do not quit till you have something lined up. I love the mom that said she writes in code to remind herself of all the good stuff. Great idea. Good luck...stay strong and get headphones :)

YES!!! I don't anymore but you totally described my situation 20 years ago. I thought I would go insane trying to hold out until I could quit. I started praying that the Lord would open up something, ANYTHING that would get me out of that situation. Then, I got laid off! LOL I've been a stay at home mom ever since. I wish you the best!! Hang in there, I totally know how difficult it is!

I'd say... start looking now. If you happen to find something... GREAT! If not, then no worries... you still have your paycheck. But at the very least, you'll be looking which can be a relief.

Are you me?

Seriously I could have written that post.

I just have to keep reminding myself of the positives of my current job. I actually have a strip of paper I printed out and taped to my computer moniter that says
"4•4p•17m•flex•bcbs•skVac•celmnthx2•matlve"
and it is code for:

only have to work 4 days a week!
get off work at 4pm to pick up mya!
only 17 miles from home!
it's pretty flexible
blue cross blue shield health insurance!!!!!!
Sick and Vacation time!!
They pay for my AND my hubbys cell phone monthly bill
i get maternity leave (and will be taking it soon)

SO when I put it THAT way, it sounds like a pretty sweet gig and I plan on milking it for all its worth.

I also used to have a piece of paper taped on my moniter that says:

I.A.P.T.S.

which is code for "It all pays the same"

and it reminds me that all the drama around me doesn't really matter as long as I get paid. So I try not to get emotionally involved in anything. I don't have that one anymore because I gave it to a co-worker that was having a really hard time dealing with the boss's BS. That was awhile ago, before she got laid off. Which makes the fact that I still have my job a little bit sweeter (I was THIS close to the lay off).

my heart is breaking for my sister right now, She has a high paying job in a male dominated field and they are awful to her, her boss gives her assignments but fails to give her all the information she needs, or changes the assignments halfway through, the people under her don't listen to her because she has to keep changing things because of what her boss is doing. Co-workers aren't sympathetic at all because they just don't care about the work the way she does so they just mess around. She's sure the place is going to go under but can't do anything about it.
I guess i say, do your work, act busy and be glad it isn't 100 times worse.

I can relate to you, but keep focus. Remind yourself of your goals (pay off credit card, insurance, etc). Take the "spare" time to educate yourself on the next type of job you would pursue. Tune out the office gimicks and use the time you have to learn. You are never too old to learn..what are the new technologies out there, what are your personal goals, how can you save for future, etc. Try to utilize your time wisely and develop skills you are a bit rusty on. I feel your pain!

Have you considered working for yourself. Many of us Mom's have our own independent businesses. If that is something that interests you then you could start on that very part-time and learn for the next 6 months and build on it. It would give you something to be excited about and get through at your job. Plus you might start building an income for when you are ready to quit.

Can you wear mini earphones and listen to music? Can you avoid them by "being busy" or going to xerox something in the other room?
I taught at a Christian school with people like this. It was the most stressful, draining job I ever had.
Make sure you don't quit until you have another job. For some reason, employers like to hire people who are already working.

D.,
I work in an office where it's just me and the boss man. And I not only hate my job, but I do not like my boss either. I am here alone most of the time because he comes and goes as he pleases. I know he's the boss so what can I do right? I work sitting at a desk full time just like you and I get so tired and frustrated about it, but I need my job. I am grateful that I have a job especially in this economy. I guess what I am saying is you are not alone in this. I have been here for a few years, well 4 actually and I dread coming to work everyday, but I have to. I do want to start looking for something else, but I am scared because it is difficult out there right now. And two I want to give my daughter the baby brother or baby sister that she wants, so I have to stick around here. As I don't want to go find something new and then end up getting laid off because I was not there long enough. Hang in there and look, God will help us. I know he will.

I have a very good job and I think well of the people with whom I work - and I still feel much like this. I have been doing something I never loved for over 20 years now...and I never intended to have a career in it (though now I do). I just wanted to have a steady income to support my creative efforts. But now I am supporting a family of 5, so here I am.

I am trying to make the best of it, but some days, it is very, very hard. If I also felt my co-workers were juvenile, it would be impossible. As someone who is responsible for hiring people, I suggest you try looking for a new job. I have worked in one of place that was "like highschool". Not everywhere is like that, and as long as you hang onto the job you have while you are looking, no harm in it & it might give you hope. Heck, you might find something with better pay and better co-workers. You might still be doing the same kind of work, but let me tell you, good pay, DID give me an extra 5 years of "not miserable". Don't tell ayone but your husband that you are looking. And even in a rotten economy, people are hiring.- and the fact that you are employed looks good to another employer. And just tell anyone who interviews you that your current position is no longer "a good fit." It's not a lie - it's a way of saying "I'm not happy" without being negative.

I will definitely be encouraging my boys to persue what they love though. I was all about arts and music and my parents, who didn't know anything about the arts, always told me "It's so hard to making a living at that." They meant well, but they were just saying something they had heard over & over. I know MANY people who "make a living" in the arts now. They DON'T make a killing, but they DO make a living. It's hard to make a living at ANYTHING. From what I see, love makes all the difference.

Good luck to you.

That sounds exactly like my husbands job! I used to work there also but left in April to be a SAHM. There was one woman in particular who would always complain about everything! If the boss accommodated her so she would be happy (or quit complaining) about one thing, she always had something else to complain about. It is driving my husband (and me) crazy! I am looking for him another job and hoping something will come open soon because some of the things he tells me I can hardly believe! However, we just had a great sermon from our pastor this past Sunday and something he said really stuck out to me and my husband so I will pass it along. He said "You are where you are (work, relationship status etc) because that is where God wants you to be" We are trying really hard to remember that. Hope that helps and I would also suggest start looking for a new job now. You can request that they do not contact your current employer and they have to honor that request.

I hear you exactly!!! The work I have is not that motivating...but it is no more than 40 hours and I have 3 small kids 5 and under. I can't quit either as we are paying off debt and the Spring should look a whole lot better...

Also, my boss just got promoted this week and left me behind. This boss had been fair and flexible for family/work balance...Anyway..try to find work to do to keep you busy and your mind off things..I find when I am busy here I can't think of much else otherwise I do exaclty what you do and I spin my wheels.

If it is that bad, I would start looking for a new position now. As we all know with this economy you never know when you'll get the opportunity. 6 months from now you may be still looking!! Start now.

I aked my mother this question once. She said "Of course everyone hates their job. "That is why they call it 'WORK'. Otherwise they would call it 'PLAY'." As I grew older I could see the wisdom of that. There are many people that love their job...but I have yet to meet many. I always try to find the best in my job. I always figured if I hate it that much I will leave. I have left apartments, homes, boyfriends and jobs I hated. When you have had enough of something you will take action.

I feel your pain. I'm a single mom working at a job where I'm the only office person. Meaning that everyone else is a sales person who comes and goes as they please while I'm stuck at the office all day long. I find out how much their bonuses are because they get emailed to everyone in the company...except for the fact that I won't get a bonus. I'm going to school for web development, except I won't graduate for another 2.5 years. I am ready for an IT job now. It sucks...the economy sucks....and I don't know what to do.

Me too, I hate my job!! I've been doing the same frickin' thing for about 22 years now and it's never what i intended on but is a good salary with good benefits so i've felt kind of "stuck"; there's no way i'll find something in another industry that pays what I get paid now. i'm so bored with it; it will never be challenging (except for the stress) and I will never go anywhere with it. I have a degree and am thinking about looking into teaching though. I've heard there are teaching jobs, just not that many. Feels like a mid-life crisis, my situation...
but yeah definitely if you try to look for something else, it'll make you feel better; just make sure you don't burn your bridges and be sure to find something while you're still employed.

I agree with Patti's answer about possibly working for yourself. I too have a home based business and it has been great not having to deal with office politics all day and being available for my kids. I don't miss my hour long commutes and the office gossip! Otherwise, I'd do what one other person suggested and start looking for a job now since employers do like to see people who are currently employed. Maybe it will help you feel better knowing that you're doing something to try to get out of your situation. Good luck!

I love my job, I have a home daycare and an internet based business. You need to focus on what you like about the job and how the income is helping your family. Focus on what you can change in your life, not on what you can't. Start looking for another job, upgrade your skills, take a course or two, work on your resume. These are all things that will help you, your current job is obviously allowing you some financial security, that is important. Think about starting a business, perhaps in 6 months to a year, you will have replaced the income, or at least to a point where you feel comfortable in leaving your job.

Hi,

I would get a calender and mark off each month you complete at your job to make your goal. Each month you complete do a mini-celebration with your hubby. It also helps to kind of know that you are preparing to leave a job but others don't have any clue about it---you can just sit back and observe their pettiness(sp?) and have a good laugh. Nothing is F., this too shall pass....take it one day at a time and try to not take your job so seriously. Lighten up and have fun! The time will pass and then in the mean time, look for something better. Best wishes!

Molly

I became immersed in yoga to balance my daytime job. You can change your response to a situation. It is unlikely that the other people will change.
Continuing education is very helpful and quietly looking at other possibilities.
It is very wise to pay off your credit card debt and be excited about doing this and then building an emergency fund for your household.
I focus on what is the primary thing that my boss wants/needs and my progress to achieving it. Then, what can I do for my continuing education to always be learning new things.

In my opinion, if the only thing you dislike about your job are the co-workers, YOU may have to change. If the pay, benefits etc. are good why leave. What if you get a new job & find yourself around negative people again? Sometimes God places us around annoying people for a reason. On the other hand if your pay & benefits suck too than I would look for another job also. Just something to think about.

yes, have worked in one of those offices many a time.... however, try and think about the BIG picture here.. you are about to get all the CC debt paid off... which means you are probably better off now than some of your co-workers , right? so keep that in mind.. that this job is simply temporary.
additionally, try and not personalize THEIR behavior.. if you don't personalize matters, what they say and do will bother you less and less.. go to work and try and be the observer.. don't allow your emotions to become activated so much so that you become upset. additionally, whether they are 35+, every age group has its share of whiners.. believe me.. have worked with people in their 20s to 70s... there is a whiner(s) in every bunch.. :) also.. begin job prepping now... why wait 6 mos... it may take that long to find a new job.. at least begin to see what's out there.. it might make you feel better..

I left my job 2 years ago after I had my son. I dreaded coming to work everyday because of my boss. I was given an option to work from home and I took it. I do an internet business that I make a great income and do this around my family time. I want to help you to be able to stay home so you don't have to deal with them at work anymore. So please email me and I will show you how. You could leave your job as soon as possible if you would like too. ____@____.com

Yours sounds like all jobs out there. I am sorry. I don't know what to say to help. I can't afford to work because 4 toddlers in daycare would mean I'd PAY money just to work. Staying home is not easy. I guess if I had all the money in the world, it would be a breeze. But trying to entertain and feed and pay the bills is tough.
I think you should look for another job. I don't think there is anything out there that will be magic, but maybe different.
Sugar grove though has the best prices! I WISH my husband worked there so we could afford a house there that would fit us all decently.

No, I work in a different job and it sounds the same. I guess we have to hang in there. Answer: yup

What one skill do you wish you had or think you might need when you are able to start looking for a new job? Whatever it is, say it is advanced Excel or PowerPoint or Front Page skills or Spanish...Find a local adult education center (in MN our Science Museum of MN offers great computer courses) and sign up for something!

You can practice the new things you learn while at work (which is time better spent than surfing). You will feel much better about yourself or your current work contributions. You will feel like you are taking action on your job situation even though you won't actually be able to launch your search for several months.

The best advice I can give you is start looking for another job, keep your nose clean (do not give in to the stabbing of each others back), keep your mind on your job, because you"ll need them as a reference, and relieve stress by getting up a take a walk during lunch time. Good luck!

I do. It is frustrating dealing with people that if they have a problem with someone they don't go and talk to the person individually, and behave like preschoolers.

L.